mweiner

Thanks Bill, yes, I read some older posts... How's the self insuring working for you? Obviously, it's working if are doing it... but, how much are you saving, just give macro numbers, 1000's....

Agreed....my 88 year old Mother was computer literate. Please avoid making sweeping generalizations. I'm over 65 and have had a computer for almost 30 years.... Plenty of us "baby boomers" that are actively online... Finally, it's 2017... Voting should be an online exercise. Better auditing and ease of tabulation.. WHY would you want to saddle some poor souls to count ballots by hand. Medieval.

Have you considered just self insuring and setting aside money per month vs. paying for an extended maintenance plan....? Have you had a good experience with claims from Good Sam ? Or others?

YES, depending on where we go, I've noticed like everyone else that location is EVERYTHING when it comes to fees. Last week we took the rig out to Carpenteria, CA for a night on the beach, a CA State Park. It was $70 per night with electric and water. We don't need full hookups on our rig and it's really nice designed for that. We just need an available dump station nearby which they had and was included in the price. National Parks are really inexpensive, we're over 62 and have the senior discount, free entry and 50 percent off the rates. I think we paid $9 per night at the Grand Canyon. The big difference here is you're still working and the RV is your mobile office. Kudos to you for making that work. I don't know exactly what you do, but, when I was working, I had a regular 9 to 5 job and had to go to the workplace everyday. Your in a situation where your workplace, home and vacation are all in one, NICE. SO, you need high speed INTERNET wherever you are, I understand completely. YES, sometimes we just pick up Internet at McDonald's, or other places like that, but, just checking email or surfing the web is not that DATA intensive. I really don't worry about DATA unless I'm streaming something.. then, it can get expensive. I recently discovered that streaming an HD movie and tethering that from the phone to my tablet was around 4GB... next time I'll download it at someplace like McDonald's and water it later or download it home and bring it with me. There's workarounds. Remember, we're probably a lot more mobile than you are? Where do you "land" that 40 plus foot rig of yours when you are traveling on the road? I know you have the toad, but, you can't just unhook the car anywhere you want along the way and it's a accessory to your main rig everywhere you go EXCEPT when you dock at the campground. I can definitely see the benefit of the "toad" when you get there, but along the way it's a hindrance, just me... I understand that Wi-Fi is not generally free everywhere, but, in large Metro areas it's a lot more available... Businesses and competition for customers is very much in demand these days... just getting someone to shop in a brick and mortar store... most, if not all of them offer free Wi-Fi just for going there, there's free Wi-Fi at all the major shopping mall, many small merchants and restaurants we go to.. They want you to come to their business, so, free Wi-Fi is a lure and extra benefit. We use all of their services. Our phones, Nexus 6P, on the Google Network automatically setup their own VPN for security whenever we connect on a public network, another plus. And, the Project Fi Network is a tri-fecta combo of T-MOBILE, Sprint and US Cellular, a network that Google created for their clients.. They obviously resell these circuts to the people subscribed to this service. They can do it because they're Google..who else could have done that? Here's a photo of the beach we were at. I think it was worth the $70 fee... what do you think?

Well, Wi-Fi is pretty ubiqutous nowadays, and who said I couldn't afford it? Besides, on balance, my average monthly bill for Project Fi is around $100 per month when I'm home or using a lot of public Wi-Fi... Compare and contrast that to the $180 including taxes that I was paying for T-MOBILE for an unlimited data where I left a lot of "unused data" on the table every month... And never got any benefit from this. So, the way I look at this, if I don't speed more than $2,160 per year on cell phones, I'm ahead of the game financially... The difference between $1,200 and $2,160 will buy a lot of data... In this way, I can control how much or how little I actually spend for the data I use.. do you see what I mean? Talk and text is unlimited.

Interesting....I just tested my Project Fi Network here at home, yes, I took it off WiFi in case you were wondering.... Actually, Project Fi over the air was faster.. surprise. On Project Fi the phone is the hot spot for tethering, no additional device is needed. Ironically, our AT & T house connection was slower by 8 Megs/sec on the download and almost equal on the upload. Maybe it's because I'm in LA. 😁😁😁

A tire pressure monitoring system will help you see what's going on.

Thanks Herman. Did you ever have a Class B in the past or consider one? They get outstanding fuel economy, about 18 to 19 MPG. Don't know about other coach manufacturers conversions, but, it takes about 9 months to do a Roadtrek conversion.. mine is a 2011 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 with the 2012 Roadtrek RS Adventurous conversion. We saw the brand new ones on the lot about a month ago..they were 2016 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 with the 2017 conversion.. main difference is the new ones are driven to LA from Canada with 2300 miles.. and have are double the price of ours that had 26,000 miles when we took possession. All solid cherry wood interior. Double the purchase price for saving 23,000 miles seems pretty expensive to me? Recently discovered that since 1974, approximately 43 years ago, Roadtrek finally completed 30,000 conversions, that's an average of 700 units per year, overall although they probably ramped up more units in the later years. Someone told me that entire coach will fall apart before the Mercedes does.. we'll see. It's a turbo diesel engine so I'm hoping to be able to get a long service life from this. And, no slides on our coach at all, just a custom interior. Here's a picture inside. Good to hear about Mercedes Benz Sprinter quality. Regards, ---Mark

If you currently own or have owned a Roadtrek Class B of any particular model in their line, please report how you think the coach quality is and whether it's holding up well over time. I'd really like your candid comments. Don't let the fact that I own one influence you one way or another. If you have had a good or bad experience, I'd like to hear it.

I can only imagine how much of a "show stopper" it is being thousands of miles from home and not being able to drive with a slide that won't go back in or extend.

VERY SAD..... glad I skipped the Winnebago Navion... Even brand new..is no guarantee that you won't have a problem! Sometimes, it's better to keep it simple, no slides on my Roadtrek RS Adventurous.

Thanks K- I love your converted Greyhound....but, not only would it be impossible to park and navigate in Metro LA, unless it were a "real Greyhound bus.." parking near my neighborhood would be a huge challenge or cost a small monthly fortune. As for washing, you have a sweet deal, do you "tip" this person?? I certainly would.

You are very lucky.... don't really see how they can make any money? How long does it take them?

Ian, thanks. Just to let you know everything is expensive in Los Angeles. Actually, they originally wanted $55 to wash my van and they said that $45 was a senior discount. Normal cars are $15.99 through the machine. Van would be hand washed. I could shop around... It's only about an hour and a half..or less. Good exercise. Washed it last night in the driveway at my house.

Price is NOT always the only thing: http://www.toptenreviews.com/services/auto/best-roadside-assistance-services/

It's offers like this that makes it hard to trade in your older Class C... people just see dollar signs... forget that most of these "low price leaders" are not probably as good as yours. When you see places like Camping World advertising 30 to 40 percent off retail price... well, something has to give.. and it's usually quality. http://rv.campingworld.com/rvdetails/new-class-c-rvs/2017-thor-gemini-23tb-front-living-60k-AMRV1307593

Thanks... forgot to ask...how long does that take you?

WHY are you selling it and how old is it? Too many miles? It's never a good thing to turn over a vehicle that you recently purchased, so, how long have you owned it? I recommend keeping a vehicle for at least FIVE years..then take stock of your situation.. I would ask yourself, can you live with this for another period of time. What model is this Class C...if it's a vehicle in high demand on the secondary market, you'll have an easier time selling it. Dealerships rarely give people "deals trading in"... Unless, you're willing to make a deal to purchase a new or late model vehicle from them. Unfortunately, a lot of people smell desperation and low ball you on rebound sales. Good luck.

I've been washing it myself about once a week or so...

Obviously, washing a smaller rig like mine is easier... but, what do you guys do with the 30 to 40 foot rigs. How often do you do it and where do you do this? Or, maybe you pay someone to take care of it? My local carwash says that they'll do it for $45.... any Mercedes Benz dealership does it as a courtesy when I take it in for service.. What do do??

WHY bother justifying at all...it's a choice. I really don't think after you add up all the costs for acquiring the vehicle, maintenance, depreciation, and repairs you'll be saving anything. Just enjoy it. Remember that you're in your own vehicle, clean bed, sheets, own private bathroom on the road... AND, the peace of mind and quiet of your own space.

K- thanks..... Our Class B actually can pull 5,000 pounds, but, why would I even consider it? I actually have a small teardrop trailer..and if we needed an "extra bedroom".. I could easily pull that, it's only 1,000 pounds. I'd rather not. I'm definitely getting the idea that the majority of people on the forum are Class A folks.. with a few Class C s. OR- the people with Class B's are so busy traveling around, they have no time to get involved on the forum 😁😁😁. Looked around for some other Roadtrek folks here local to Socal but, haven't found them here. I have one friend locally who got me thinking of the Class B and Roadtrek. I really think that Class B+ are really Class C''s , especially with the bunk over the front cab. Yes, a Class A pulling a TT is funny...you know one of the first times we took our TT out camping, a person in a Class A came over and asked if that was where our dog slept and asked me where our rig was... Very funny at the time. The little TT are like space capsules.. sleeping pods....once inside, very comfortable just for sleeping.. Here's a picture with our Subaru.

Gary, No, I don't need validation about the mileage, it is what it is.. just a statement that it's a highly mobile vehicle. The Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 is classified as a truck, it is used commercially in bus, and fleet applications as 12 seaters and are known to log 500,000 miles. It has a 3 litre V6 turbo diesel, will Bluetec technology and a five speed shiftable transmission, similar to an Allison transmission. There's no power problems at all with this setup.. I can appreciate what you are saying about some of the Sprinter 2500 vans and the 2.1 Four or the old 2.7 Five. This is a different set up. And, the van has dual rear wheels for extra stability. Yes, I agree with you that it's all about having fun.. I got this for the flexibility of being to drive it just about anywhere and get the maximum value ..if you're not driving it, you're not enjoying it. I figured that at my age.. I'll plan on keeping it for at least five years and evaluate it after that... Vehicles are NOT good investments.. not investments at all.... I got this to have some fun and adventures meaning going places and I think it's terrible that some people with older rigs are turned away... that wouldn't happen at National Parks. As far as value, I picked this up for approximately 50 percent of the retail price with a unit that was lightly used and 26,000 miles.. I put new tires, batteries, and a new sound/navigation/camera system in but, no repairs needed at all. I'm taking it already on three trips and a planned USA trip. ---Mark PS- I did notice that there's some very nice 2018 Chinook models out there on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter... VERY nice. Heard of them a long time ago..maybe they got resurrected.

Gary, I appreciate and understand.. what you're saying completely. Of course I know that our van conversion is MUCH LESS space and creature comforts. than a full sized Class A.. , however, we have a king size bed, kitchen, overhead cabinets, bathroom including shower and plenty of storage space for the two of us. And we also have a built in generator, small diesel engine, and ability to tow more than 5,000 pounds, in fact, the specs on our model says 7,000 pounds, not sure I would try this...The fact is 5,000 is enough to pull a small car...we don't need it. We just drive the van anywhere we need to go. All this and 18 MPG...show me another vehicle that can do that. .. SO, even though it's a small RV, it has a lot of features. Plus, it's a Mercedes Benz, and has a great drive train. It is very quiet for a turbo diesel engine. Lest you think these are inexpensive, they are definitely NOT....a new one like mine is close to $150,000. I chose this particular coach and manufacturer, Roadtrek, for the build quality. I could have easily selected a larger RV brand new for less than what I paid for the RS Adventurous... And, yes, I plan on taking this across from USA and maybe through Canada and Alaska. Sure, you can certainly do that in a rig that gets 5 MPG, but, you're going to pay a LOT MORE in fuel to do this. A lot of people nowadays want the flexibility of a smaller, more mobile RV...and the Class B segment is growing very quickly. In case you didn't know, Roadtrek has been the leading seller of Class Bs since 1990. And, they're known for very high quality workmanship. The RS Adventurous is near the top of the line and I feel VERY LUCKY to have found one used at a terrific price point... only has 27,000 miles on it. Here's their website below, http://www.roadtrek.com/models/rs-adventurous/ http://www.roadtrek.com/models/ SO, I would say NO, it's not just a simple van conversion... It's a pretty nice setup. I certainly did NOT do this myself. PS- I own a Prius..and we get 45 MPG on that... Great car.. I'm NOT a full timer. Don't think we'll ever be . The van is a great road vehicle!

Gary, Depends a lot on how far you drive.. 10 MPG difference is a really big cost factor.